The Case Western Reserve University volleyball team traveled to Sandusky, Ohio to compete in the Great Lakes Cross Over at the Cedar Point Sports Center. Last season, the Spartans had much success as they went on to compete in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in eight years, making it the team’s third appearance in program history. Overall, CWRU went 22-9 and placed third in the UAA.
This season, CWRU welcomed six new first-year players including defensive specialist Sophia Datto, setters Avery Basinger and Elena Esquivel, right side hitter Madeline Halter and outside side hitters Sienna Olson and Colleen Nudd.
First, the Spartans went up against Ohio Northern University (ONU) and gained a 2-point advantage from a service ace by fourth-year middle blocker Lily Crouch and an attacking error by ONU. This was short lived after ONU gained a 3-point lead after winning the next 6 out of 7 points. The Spartans were able to catch up and tied the game at 16 points, with a 6-1 run, thanks in part to a kill by fourth-year outside hitter Rea Marfatia and a service ace from second-year defensive specialist Sude Naz Item.
A timeout by ONU allowed them to come back within one point, however, the back-to-back kills by third-year outside hitter Kalli Wall put the Spartans within two of clinching the set. After going back and forth with the next four points, a kill by second-year outside hitter Emily Goodpaster allowed CWRU to clinch the first set.
Tied at 8 in the second set, ONU initiated an 8-2 run to take a 6-point lead and evened the match score at one with a 9-point set win. The third set began with a 4-0 run from the Spartans, but the score was evened yet again at four with a run from ONU. CWRU gained a 17-11 advantage until a 5-1 ONU run made the score 17-16. The Polar Bears then went on to score 8 of the final 10 points to allowed them to claim the third set. The fourth set was critical in keeping the match alive for CWRU. The Spartans opened the set by scoring the first 2 points, and although ONU won four of the next five to take a brief 1-point lead, two kills from Goodpaster along with an attacking error gave CWRU a 1-point lead. Subsequently, a 5-0 run was initiated by ONU to take a 12-8 lead, but a service ace from Marfatia put the Spartans in a position to tie the score at 14. After an intense back-and-forth for the Spartans, Marfatia ended the set with a kill and a service ace to tie the match score.
The Spartans kept the momentum going, winning the first 6 points of the fifth set and a kill from third-year middle blocker Kiya Levy increased their lead to 5 after the Polar Bears cut their deficit by 4. ONU attempted to close the gap and catch up to the Spartans, but CWRU’s back-to-back points at the end of the match allowed them to seal not only the first win, 3-2, of the season, but their first win against ONU in program history.
In their second match, the Spartans went up against Chatham University. The first set began with Chatham securing the first 3 points, however, CWRU responded with an 8-1 run to stake an early 4-point lead. Chatham attempted to catch up by scoring 2 points to make the score 13-11, but a 10-4 run including two kills from Wall and fourth-year setter/right side hitter Carly Scott in addition to back-to-back kills from Marfatia and Wall, allowed the Spartans to clinch the set.
In the second set, CWRU started with a 5-point lead and after forcing an attacking error by Chatham, got ahead 10-5. The Spartans attempted to hold on to their 5-point advantage, however, a 7-3 run from Chatham closed the gap, making the score 21-20, giving CWRU only a 1-point lead. The set was secured by CWRU after a kill from Levy that ended the set with a 4-2 run. Soon after in the third set, the Spartans won 11 of the first 16 points with a 7-2 run to open an 18-7 lead. Chatham attempted to come back and catch up to CWRU but 5 consecutive points from the Spartans ended the match in a 3-0 victory for CWRU.
The third and fourth match saw CWRU face off against Greenville University and LeTourneau University (LETU) respectively, both for the first time in program history. In the third match, the Spartans attempted to take on an early lead, however, Greenville initiated a 5-0 run, giving them a 6-3 advantage in the first set.
Subsequently, CWRU fought back by winning 12 of the next 16 points to gain a 15-10 lead. After a service error, the Spartans were able to extend their lead to 7 as a result of kills by Levy and fourth-year defensive specialist Maria Tuepker, as well as an ace by Marfatia. In response, Greenville scored 6 of the next 8 points to shorten the gap to three points, however, this was not enough to keep the Spartans from clinching the set.
Keeping the momentum going into the second set, CWRU secured four consecutive points. A 6-3 run from Greenville put them within one point of catching up to the Spartans, but a 6-1 CWRU run afforded them a 15-9 advantage. Despite continued push back from Greenville, the Spartans were able to secure another set after two kills from Marfatia and third-year middle blocker Amanda Ngo during an 8-2 run.
In the following set, CWRU opened with a 5-point lead, securing 7 of the first 9 points. The lead was further increased by back-to-back kills by Ngo, as well as a service ace from fourth-year defensive specialist Jolie Held, giving CWRU a 12-4 advantage. Greenville attempted to stay in the fight, but two aces from fourth-year defensive specialist Deme Yianas and kills by Ngo and Marfatia made the score 20-12. The Spartans split the final 10 services, ending the match in three sets, making it another 3-0 victory for CWRU.
In the final match of the Cross Over, CWRU began by winning 6 of the first 7 points with kills by Marfatia, Ngo, Scott and fourth-year right side/outside hitter Chloe Maciejewski. Twice, LETU came within one point of tying the score, however, kills from Ngo and Scott pushed the CWRU advantage to 3. This lead was short lived after a 14-5 run from LETU afforded them a 6-point lead. The Spartans attempted to stay in the fight with kills from Marfatia that brought CWRU twice within one point of catching up to LETU. However, this was not enough to keep LETU from scoring 3 of the final 4 points, securing the first set 25-22.
The second set began with some back and forth on both sides, but LETU’s 4-0 run pushed their lead to 17-11, but CWRU responded with its own 4-0 run. After alternating the following 3 points, the Spartans forced two consecutive attacking errors to tie the score at 19. Later, a kill by Ngo and back-to-back strikes from Goodpaster allowed the Spartans to take a 3-point lead. Another attacking error was forced on LETU, and the set was secured with a kill by Ngo.
The third set began with a 10-6 advantage in favor of LETU, but a kill by Ngo ended the LETU run, allowing a 11-10 lead with 5-0 run for CWRU. Despite LETU being able to even the score twice, three consecutive attacking errors, a kill and a block gave CWRU an 18-13 advantage. The teams split the next 6 points, with the Spartans securing the following 2 points for their largest advantage of the set, leading to a clinch of CWRU’s second set.
After back and forth for much of the fourth set, CWRU initiated a 6-0 run, allowing the Spartans to take a 19-13 lead. LETU responded by winning the next 4 points, however, this was not enough to stop CWRU’s momentum as the final 6 points were secured, making the Spartans victorious yet again for a 3-1 win. This final win secured CWRU’s sweep of the 2024 Great Lakes Cross Over, allowing them to start the season 4-0.
The Spartans’ next match will be against the University of Mount Union on Sept. 4 at 7 p.m. for a home game in Horsburgh Gymnasium.